WildHeritageTaxidermy Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Hunter got his elk opening day.... After having our morning hunt blown and nearly being shot by another hunter we went out to glass. Around 4pm Heather spotted a small bull high up on a mountain side. Then another bull. Then I found a cow, all in the same vicinity on the mountain. I asked Hunter if he wanted to go after them, explaining that although I was sure there were plenty more elk up there, it would be a tough stalk. It was a north face, very thick where we needed to go. The elk were fading in and out of a small clearing way up high under some large bluffs, 3/4 of a mile away. He simply said "sure", and we were off. Once we got to the bottom of the mountain we couldn't even see where the meadow was, let alone the elk. Heather was at the truck on the spotting scope, but we don't have radios. We needed to get there quickly and quietly. Hunter stayed one step behind me, was super quiet, and focused. I wasn't sure if we would be able to find a high enough point to shoot from but we kept going. In the end we were able to get to less than 60 yards from the elk without them ever suspecting we were there at all! We found a cow standing feeding with a small shooting lane to her. I got Hunter set up, standing, on shooting sticks. The cow was facing away, I told Hunter to take his time and wait for her to turn. She finally turned to hard quartering away and he smoked her!! Mom got to watch the whole thing through the spotting scope. She hiked up the mountain while Hunter and I got the cow gutted. Then Hunter and Heather stayed with the cow and I went to town and got the horse and a friend to help get the meat in. It was skinned, quartered, packed and hanging by midnight. We also found out that my horse, although is fine with dead elk, doesn't like it when they chase him. We first tried to use the horse to drag this huge cow down the mountain. Bad idea!! So after a huge horse/elk/rope/Dale explosion and a near disaster. We quartered it up and Rio did a fine job packing out the quarters for us. All at night in steep rocks and lots of cactus of course. Wouldn't trade the memories for the world!!! Any hunters out there who have never taken a kid big game hunting, you should try it. It's more rewarding than killing the biggest trophy you've ever seen!!! Dale and Heather 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhuntaz1 Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Big congrats to Hunter!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coach Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Nice job Hunter! Congrats on what I'm guessing will be the first of many - and great work Dale and Heather getting out there together and making it happen as a family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shedhunteraz Report post Posted October 21, 2013 That is so awesome for your kid. We got one this year and then one more in 5. Hopefully we get one for him and have you guys do the work. Congrats again to your kid. Great write up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JTO Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Way to get it done Hunter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted October 21, 2013 That's awesome! Way to go Hunter!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Nice job Hunter, Congrats to the whole family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Congrats...great job! Funny that the horse did not like dragging the elk but would pack it fine... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Very nice! Congratulations Hunter on a fine cow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted October 21, 2013 Very cool! Congrats Hunter!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted October 30, 2013 Fantastic! Great job! There is nothing like being with a kid that has success after putting in practice time and some work to get it done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
